Surrey trading standards officers have impounded dozens of Halloween spider toys to stop them posing a risk to children. They barred the products from entering the country through Heathrow Airport after finding sharp exposed wires in some and choking hazards in others. In a batch of 150 “spider web” sets, spider toys had legs which … Continue reading
These are the serious injuries suffered by a Surrey resident after he started up a gas camping stove he bought online. The stove engulfed Marcus Oliver in a fireball when he turned it on, leaving him with burns to his face, hands and arms. Three firms – the retailer, distributor and importer of the product … Continue reading
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards has won a national award for its work to cut red tape for businesses and boost the economy. The service* was recognised by the Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards for its partnership work with dozens of businesses to help them comply with regulations, supporting their growth. It was … Continue reading
During Scams Awareness Month, Surrey trading standards is highlighting the top four most common scams in the county and the ways residents can protect themselves. Scams Awareness Month is a national campaign throughout June aimed at ensuring people “don’t miss a trick” when it comes to scams. Doorstep scams The most common scam reported in … Continue reading
Sniffer dog Pippa will show off her skills in detecting illegal tobacco on a roadshow tour of Surrey to highlight the dangers of the counterfeit trade. Pippa (pictured) will be in action next week at roadshows in Camberley, Guildford, Staines and Epsom. The events are being staged by trading standards officers and health advisers to … Continue reading
If you’re looking at reducing your energy costs visit Action Surrey here for free advice and a list of vetted installers. To report an incident contact trading standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06. If you feel under real threat or in danger, contact the police on 101 or in … Continue reading
Surrey trading standards officers have impounded 2,600 fake Fingerling toys brought in from China through Heathrow Airport. They barred the toys from entering the UK because they lacked crucial paperwork proving the products met safety standards and failed to include contact details for the manufacturer. Fingerlings – robotic animals such as monkeys and unicorns which … Continue reading
A Christmas elf toy destined for homes around the country has failed safety tests for posing a choking risk to children. Dolls imported through Heathrow Airport had decorations on their hats and tunics which were found to tear off easily and fit exactly inside a choke test cylinder the size of a child’s throat. Officers with … Continue reading
A Surrey rogue trader and his money launderer son have been ordered to return more than £250,000 to elderly residents who were charged extortionate sums for shoddy roofing and building work. Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards took John Green Senior and John Green Junior to court to recover as much as possible from the proceeds … Continue reading
With seams that come apart in your hands and beaded eyes that fall off with barely a tug, these toys are among the dangerous products that Surrey trading standards officers have stopped from ever reaching consumers. The soft toys were attached to baby play gyms designed for young babies. They were part of a large … Continue reading
Specially trained sniffer dog Phoebe will showcase her skills at roadshows around Surrey to highlight the dangers of illegal tobacco. Phoebe (pictured) will join trading standards and public health teams in Redhill, Woking, Staines and Guildford next week as part of a crackdown on the counterfeit tobacco trade. The roadshows aim to raise awareness of … Continue reading
A Surrey businesswoman who sold amber teething products for babies which posed a choking risk has been ordered to pay fines and costs of £1,100. Kathryn Overington was fined £500 with costs of £600 following an investigation by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards. She was sentenced at Guildford Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to three … Continue reading
Trading standards officers have impounded 800 fidget spinners destined for UK stores amid fears they pose a safety risk. Surrey-based officers intercepted a £4,000 consignment imported from China through Heathrow Airport after finding that warnings on the packaging about the choking hazard to young children were barely visible. The toys, which were inspected in Surrey … Continue reading
A double-glazing firm was today ordered to pay fines and costs of £330,000 for using illegal high-pressure sales tactics such as quoting inflated prices to make discounts look better and falsely claiming offers were time limited. Zenith Staybrite Ltd was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £250,000 following a prosecution brought by Buckinghamshire … Continue reading
With new rules on tobacco products and e-cigarettes now in force, Steve Ruddy, head of Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, said: “These new laws aim to protect people’s health and include standard plain packaging for cigarettes, a ban on 10-packs and limits on the strength of vaping liquids and the size of containers that hold … Continue reading